The decision-making process was flawed, the discussions were hurried and superficial, the National Security Council was kept in the dark, and scenarios of extreme violence were ignored – these are only some of the harsh criticisms found in the State Comptroller’s report on the government’s handling of the Turkish aid flotilla to Gaza, which took place on May 2010.

Micha Lindenstrauss’s highly critical report, released on Wednesday, stretches over 153 pages and deals with both the government’s performance in the Turkish flotilla incident and with the application of the National Security Council Law, as well as, Israel’s national propaganda apparatus.

In his report, Lindenstrauss named Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as the party responsible for the incident: “The decision making process regarding the dealings with the Turkish flotilla led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and under his responsibility was found to include essential and significant flaws.”

“The prime minister’s decision-making was made without proper coordination, documentation, or preparation, despite the fact that the government, the IDF’s top officers, and senior intelligence officials were all aware that the Turkish flotilla wasn’t like the flotillas that preceded it,” the report added.

It was an example of the government concentrating on tactics (apparently flawed ones at that) without any long term strategic vision. The ship could have been stopped by less lethal means (fouling up the propeller, for example). The exercise was a propaganda disaster and the negative impact on relations with Turkey could have been avoided. And the blockade has been partially thwarted by shipments through the Rafah Crossing from Egypt.

The report lists multiple cases in which officials, including then Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi, warned of a violent response by the boat's passengers.

A few weeks before the flotilla set sail, Ashkenazi sent a letter to Netanyahu and Minister of Defense Ehud Barak, in which he suggested the flotilla be thwarted by diplomatic means before resorting to use of force.

According to the report, after the letter was sent, Netanyahu held four work meetings with Ashkenazi, in which the matter was discussed.